Page 46 - AMB Freelist

Don’t Do a skid at the bottom of the mountain
Most bike parks funnel back together into one shared trail at the end which pops out at the park base and lift line. This
is a simple one, but I can’t believe how often I see people do it... STOP RIPPING A MASSIVE SKID AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. It rapidly increases the wear on an already highly used piece of trail and throws up dust in the common areas. If you want to impress onlookers, throw some shapes on the last jump, this would be way cooler.
Don’t Judge other riders Remember the first time
you went to the ski fields? I do. You take an introductory lesson and then pick your way down the mountain at walking pace until you get the confidence up to try a blue run. You make it down alive and thank Baby Jesus that none of the more competent skiers took you out as they flew past you down the mountain. Some people have the same experience at bike parks in the summer. It may be their first-time mountain biking, so take it easy. Give everyone some space and don’t be
a brat if someone gets in your way or accidentally drops in on you. Riders on rental bikes and in rental kit are usually very easy to spot, keep an eye out and
be nice.
Don’t Drop in on anyone or jump the queue
If you are about to drop into a trail, ensure you aren’t going to cut anyone
off regardless of their speed. No one wants to be picking dust out of their teeth after you drop in on them and blow up the first berm you come across. Less experienced riders may get a little rattled if you drop in too close in front of them too, so best to give everyone some space. Going along with this, don’t jump the lift queue. This is the number one easiest way to get the stink eye from everyone else in line and ensure that no one is stopping to help you mid trail if you have a mechanical or worse.
Don’t Use headphones
Bike parks have people
everywhere, and it’s a good idea to stay vigilant. If you have headphones in you might not be able to hear a faster rider coming up to pass you, someone yelling out to you about a downed rider ahead, or announcements over the PA regarding wildlife or emergency trail closures. Leave your air pods at home.
Don’t Get in the rut of lapping one trail
One of the best things about park riding is that you can almost guarantee that there will be a sweet flow trail full of big berms and fun jumps. These trails are great as a warmup but in my opinion it’s easy to get sucked into lapping them over and over while some more technical, picturesque, fun or adventurous trails may await you. Take a trail map and see if you can tick off a lap of each course on the menu!
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